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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

to think that air-fryers are just a passing fad?

322 replies

EeesandWhizz · 06/12/2023 11:26

I know that they are everywhere do everything right now, but I'm sure that they'll soon join the steamers, breadmakers and George Foreman grills living in the back of the kitchen cupboard. The slow-cookers can stay on the worktop.

I bought a second hand Ninja Foodie, and to be honest I don't really get it. Do many people that cook from scratch really use them instead of the oven and hob? Or is it more like Pampered Chef that produced a lot of things for people that are not confident cooks that they didn't really need?

I am going to try cooking a 40 minute meringue in it later today though, so that might make me change my mind - I usually leave mine overnight in the oven for maximum crispy gooeyness, but an almost instant pavlova sounds fab!

OP posts:
Sexlivesofthepotatomen · 07/12/2023 08:15

Stupid question alert - how do you boil eggs in them, just in a bowl of water?

Georgyporky · 07/12/2023 08:34

I've had mine 8 years. Trendy ? Moi !
I'll replace it if and when it breaks down.

Anselma · 07/12/2023 09:24

Sexlivesofthepotatomen · 07/12/2023 08:15

Stupid question alert - how do you boil eggs in them, just in a bowl of water?

No need for water. Set AF at 150C, preheat 1 or 2 mins then put eggs in (straight from fridge) and cook for 8 mins. This gave me soft boiled eggs.
Google Air Fryer boiled eggs for different timings... if eggs straight from fridge or room temp etc. Also some people plunge eggs into cold water after cooking to stop them getting harder but I didn't bother and they were fine.

Excited101 · 07/12/2023 09:27

I use my ice cream maker and my bread machine regularly, along with my mixer and my food processor… but I don’t have an air fryer 🤷‍♀️ different people use gadgets in different ways- I’m sure for some, the novelty will wear off but it sounds more like the microwave in that it’s just a quicker/cheaper way of cooking the same things they were cooking before.

DonnaYouAreAStar · 07/12/2023 09:36

This reply has been deleted

This has been deleted by MNHQ for breaking our Talk Guidelines.

MySugarBabyLove · 07/12/2023 09:37

Now doing things like eggs in an air frier definitely is faddy.

I mean you can boil eggs in a pan for 4 minutes. And then they are in fact boiled eggs not baked eggs.

Air friers are fine for things like sausages and bacon and so on, I do a roast chicken in mine although roast potatoes in it are shite so I stick to the oven for those, But a lot of the things that people do such as boiling eggs etc are just to say that the air frier can do everything, when in fact it takes significantly longer to cook eggs in an air frier so there really is no point.

Tilesaandtiles · 07/12/2023 09:38

Absolutely not in this house. I have 2. Had airfyers for years and years and barely use my oven.

newnamethanks · 07/12/2023 09:50

My standard cooker has reached the end of its life. Air fryer and microwave are more than sufficient for me. Although I wouldn't want to try cooking a large family meal in one.

Anselma · 07/12/2023 09:53

MySugarBabyLove · 07/12/2023 09:37

Now doing things like eggs in an air frier definitely is faddy.

I mean you can boil eggs in a pan for 4 minutes. And then they are in fact boiled eggs not baked eggs.

Air friers are fine for things like sausages and bacon and so on, I do a roast chicken in mine although roast potatoes in it are shite so I stick to the oven for those, But a lot of the things that people do such as boiling eggs etc are just to say that the air frier can do everything, when in fact it takes significantly longer to cook eggs in an air frier so there really is no point.

Perhaps it's faddy to you, especially if you stand waiting for 8 mins for the eggs to cook!.

The length of time doesn't matter to me, it's the convenience I find useful.

I have RA and sometimes wrists are painful. Much quicker and easier to put eggs in AF, no lifting and carrying involved. Mornings are busy and i get on with other tasks while eggs are cooking.

phoenixrosehere · 07/12/2023 10:08

DH bought one, had it for maybe a year or two and he gave it away to one of his mates. He was the only one using it (rarely at that) and I didn’t see the point of using it when I could easily use our microwave/convection oven or the hob and it take me less time and cleanup.

I say the same about the slow cooker and the soup maker he also bought and only he uses. I dislike them even more because they’re clunky, and take up too much space on our small countertops. I’d probably feel differently if neither of us were at home, or too busy but we’re not.

silentpool · 07/12/2023 10:17

I love mine - have had it nearly 4 years and use it daily.

MeinKraft · 07/12/2023 10:17

BertieBotts · 06/12/2023 11:51

I do think it's silly the way they are marketed as an alternative to a deep fat fryer - that's not really how they work, so I think people trying to use it as a deep fat fryer will be disappointed.

It's definitely more of a tabletop oven than a deep fat fryer.

I use mine most days. Bacon done in the air fryer cannot be rivalled.

Ariela · 07/12/2023 12:05

I've used one, but they seem big clunky and take a lot of workspace. Given I have a super Panasonic combi microwave, an electric double oven and a Rayburn with a top and slow oven, and a slow cooker already, I'm not convinced of the need.

TheCatterall · 07/12/2023 13:19

@madaboutmad i have a ninja foodie max health grill and air fryer. It’s expensive but I got it in a sale and had vouchers from the amazon shopper reward system to go towards it. Mine cost £180 in the sale plus I got an Amazon warehouse one with a damaged box.

https://amzn.eu/d/64rfzgQ

i borrowed various friends ones first for a few weeks here and there to see what I could/would cook in them.

I only have my 24 year old son at home and he uses it extensively as well.

https://amzn.eu/d/64rfzgQ?tag=mumsnet&ascsubtag=mnforum-am-i-being-unreasonable-4957691-to-think-that-air-fryers-are-just-a-passing-fad

Chocolatepeanutbuttercupsandicecream · 07/12/2023 14:42

@MasterBeth why would it be dry? Bone in chicken takes a lot longer than breasts etc. According to most recipes they take 40-45 minutes roasting in the oven.

TheCatterall · 07/12/2023 18:50

@Anselma - I’m taking you at your word and just going to give it a go. I may have regrets if this blows up… my youngest microwaved eggs - in their shells a few years ago and oh boy… what a learning curve he had about things we don’t microwave!

Cordychase · 07/12/2023 19:09

I love mine, only use my oven now is I am cooking something which doesnt fit in the air fryer, like pizza.

AnneValentine · 07/12/2023 19:13

I use ours for everything. I cannot remember the last time I used the oven.

Crikeyme · 07/12/2023 19:26

My mum has cooked from scratch her whole life, but she’s also mostly cooked for a family or as part of a couple. Now that she’s a widow, her air fryer means she doesn’t need to put the oven on for many of her favourite dishes, with the worry of rising fuel bills for a pensioner. We mostly use our hob to cook (stir fries, stews etc) so it’s not worth us getting one, but for many people they’re a money-saving godsend.

JudgeJ · 07/12/2023 19:26

Ifailed · 06/12/2023 11:30

I suspect the majority will go the way of bread-makers, ice-cream makers and other kitchen fads, but I can see the benefits of a small fan-oven will still be of interest to smaller households.

I'm not a fad person, I have a slow cooker, Kenwood chef that's 30+ years old and an air fryer, a cheap Tower one and I haven't used the oven this year other than visitors come and I need to cook more. I've done pies, scones, cakes and so on as well as chips, chicken, sausages etc. I find it useful because I tend to forget the grill! I wouldn't pay £200+ for an all singing all dancing one though.

JudgeJ · 07/12/2023 19:31

stayathomer · 06/12/2023 14:19

We got a cheap one not realising you need the ones that go to higher temps to cook anything other than chips😅 Will never relegate the George Forman, we live by it!!!

GH type things are great for paninis

Digestivechocolatebiscuit · 07/12/2023 19:44

My first one was the Tefal actifry in 2015.. ( they launched in the UK in 2014..) France in the 80s.
I've had an airfryer ever scince..now a duel basket one.. use most... also have a single smaller one.
I hardly ever ever use my oven..between the airfryer and slow cooker and microwave l can cook almost all of my meals..l use the top cooker for steaming my veg.
I honestly don't think they are a fad.. my daughter who is 30 is onto her 3rd one.
Always an upgrade.
One of best kitchen appliances ever invented.

greenacrylicpaint · 07/12/2023 19:48

I hadn't considered the acessibility angle. thanks for highlighting this.

I know a few people who might benefit from looking into them closer.

19lottie82 · 07/12/2023 19:49

YABU the only time I use my oven now is to bake cakes or cook oven pizzas

ApplesinmyPocket · 07/12/2023 19:55

Oh no you are DBU!

"AnneValentine · Today 19:13

I use ours for everything. I cannot remember the last time I used the oven.

Cordychase · Today 19:09

I love mine, only use my oven now is I am cooking something which doesnt fit in the air fryer, like pizza."

These two posts say it all for me. I have hardly used my oven this year except for a large rib of roast beef and a big tray of Yorkshires.

I even make toast in mine, and it comes out light and crunchy like melba toast which I prefer to the stodgy kind.

Absolutely love it. Had it three months and bought another, bigger one to use when the smaller one isn't big enough, though even the smaller one takes a surprising amount, including 4 medium jacket potatoes!